Criminal Law

In the criminal justice system, probation officers supervise members of the community who are serving probation instead of a prison term. As part of their responsibilities, officers may need to...

Mandatory incarceration is also known as minimum sentencing guidelines. It establishes criminal penalties for certain felonies, usually drug or gun-related. The most famous example of mandatory...

Drug trafficking is the illegal purchase, sale or trade of drugs, even legal ones. Although drug trafficking is often thought of as some large operation involving Colombian cartels, the truth is...

Drug trafficking is the forbidden purchase, sale or trade of illegal or controlled drugs, including marijuana, cocaine or heroin. The term also covers legal drugs that are being sold illegally,...

Many people who get arrested for drug crimes feel the charges are unwarranted and wish to fight them. Although it is often extremely difficult, there are many cases in which drug charges are...

Crack is a solid---as opposed to powdered---form of cocaine. Available as white or off-white rocks, crack cocaine is commonly ingested by smoking. Crack is highly addictive, and using it can lead...

Focalin is a medication that is a mild stimulant and is often prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit disorders. The drug is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

The "War on Drugs" has proven to be a colossal failure, but enforcement continues, and more and more Californians are caught in the net. You may worry that there's no point in fighting...

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act 1986 is the first of two laws bearing the title. The second law purported to close perceived loopholes in the first and was enacted in 1988. Referred to as the "Snitch" law...

Employers, government agencies, athletic organizations and medical personnel use drug testing methods such as blood, hair, urine and saliva testing. Accuracy and privacy are two key issues...

Alternative forms of corrections and rehabilitation for drug abusers are utilized across the United States. Treatment programs, supervised probation, substance testing and counseling programs are...

Drug laws, also known as narcotics or controlled substance laws, can vary by state. Texas is known to have especially strict narcotics laws. Many Texas drug laws can be found in the Texas Penal...

Crack is a free-base form of cocaine made by dissolving powder cocaine in a solution of water and either ammonia or baking soda. The solution is boiled to form crack "rocks," which are smoked.

Heroin is an illegal and highly addictive drug. It can be smoked, snorted or injected. Heroin typically takes the form of a white-to-brown-colored powder, but it can be a black, solid form known...

Substance abuse and addiction is a serious problem. For incarcerated individuals, these problems are magnified. The Bureau of Prisons recognizes the severity of this issue. Several treatment...

Drug trafficking typically refers to the possession of an illegal drug in a predetermined quantity that constitutes the drug is going to be sold. The severity of the crime depends on the specific...

There is a very large drug problem in this country today, and drug offenders often see the inside of a 8 by 10 cell. There may be some light shed for the offenders looking at first time drug...

If you believe you may be facing arrest on criminal drug charges, your defense should begin immediately. Before you even find a lawyer, you can help your legal case so that the situation doesn't...

Alternative sentencing means crafting appropriate punishments for criminal convictions other than traditional prison terms, probation and parole. Rising prison populations and their associated...

Any criminal justice system reflects its society and its times. Public sentiment and social trends are always in flux as to what is considered a crime and what methods of punishment are...

Even if you did not grow up during the 1960s, you still know of the lore and allure of marijuana. Music artists dedicate songs to the plant and the criminal underground manages a vast black market...

Urine testing for the presence of drugs has become commonplace in the workforce. Employers want to ensure their employees are drug free, and urine testing provides an accurate and inexpensive...

The penalties for drug trafficking offenses vary and depend on a number of factors. These include the type and amount of illegal drugs (also called "controlled substances") found in a person's...

Minimum sentencing, generally associated with drug convictions, goes back to the 19th century, but its current inflexible incarnation is a product of the late 20th century.

Marijuana reform laws are an effort to remove criminal penalties associated with the private use of marijuana. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Drug...

When considering examples of drug cases, it is important to remember that drug laws vary from state to state. For example, some states have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes; others have...

Drug related crimes are increasing. Finding an attorney to plea your drug crime charges, is based on the charges you are facing. There can be many different charges to go along with your drug...

We all make mistakes in our life and we all must face them one day. Dealing with a drug crime or crimes is a serious thing. Before and after you face this situation the road back to a peaceful and...

The legalization of marijuana, although controversial in the United States, could lead to many economic and safety benefits, and would take power away from violent drug cartels that currently run...

Headline crime, gangster, drugs, serial killers, terrorist attack. If you are like me you know families that has been destroyed because of substances abuse or drugs, on going drug sales increases...

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, two-thirds of drug offenders who are released from prison will be arrested again within three years. Prosecuting and incarcerating these offenders cost...

During the 20th century, the U.S. federal government made marijuana illegal. This included the use, possession, cultivation or transfer to another individual or company. Throughout the U.S.,...

Getting a false positive on a drug test is more common than you might think. The likelihood of getting a failing a drug test when you haven't taken any illegal drugs depends on numerous...

Drug activity can seem strangely obvious or can be so covertly hidden that you never seen it happen. If you see suspicious activity, how do you report it? What information do you need to give the...

The penalty for drug possession in Florida varies according to the circumstances of each case. If you are arrested for possession, follow these steps to learn what you may face.

Florida law official often treat drug smuggling as a felony punishable by imprisonment. Follow these steps to learn the extent of the penalties if you're ever convicted of this crime.

Under federal law and the laws of most states, drug possession is the possession of certain controlled substances without a valid prescription or other applicable authorization. Even possession of...

Though California is widely known as a liberal place, this does not apply to cases where a person is found guilty of dealing crack cocaine or any other illegal or controlled substances. The state...

California drug dealers face some of the strictest penalties in the nation, thanks to the state's efforts to deter drug criminals through aggressive arrest, trial and sentencing policies....

Arizona has some of the toughest drug laws in the United States. If you are charged with possessing drugs, follow these steps to learn more about he penalties you face in Arizona.

The possession of narcotics or other controlled substances is prohibited by law in Arkansas. Depending on the circumstances, the state may charge offenders with a misdemeanor or a felony. In most...

In the United States, illegal drug possession can carry penalties as serious as prison time or as mild as a small fine. Citizens wishing to anonymously report offenders may do so through various...

Drug dealing is a crime that impacts every major American city and small town on some level. To report drug dealing in your area, follow these steps.

Neighborhoods often unwittingly host drug labs, located within otherwise low-crime areas. If you suspect a house in your neighborhood is being used as a drug lab, follow these steps to alert the...

The production, distribution or packaging of the psychoactive drug marijuana is illegal in the state of Arkansas. Marijuana is often thought of as a less-prohibited drug than some others, but...

Drug smuggling is the illegal manufacturing, packaging and distribution of psychoactive drugs. In the United States, you can anonymously report this crime through a number of channels. Follow...